IPPF strongly welcomes the renewal of the Mandate of the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity at the 41st session of the Human Rights Council that ends today in Geneva.

The broadcaster says it will stop using the term “heartbeat bill” to describe attempts in the US to introduce six-week abortion bans, after conceding the phrase is biased. IPPF hopes this will prompt BBC News, who have not ruled out using the phrase, to reconsider its position.

The BBC has said it won’t stop labelling attempts to ban abortion after six weeks as “heartbeat bills” – despite conceding the phrase is biased and medically inaccurate. The right thing to do is to stop using it. We call on the BBC to think again.

IPPF has welcomed the publication of the results of the Evidence for Contraceptive Options and HIV Outcomes (ECHO) trial – but warned they show how much more must be done urgently to combat HIV acquisition and offer real contraceptive choice.